I’ve always been fascinated by the history of American presidents. And even more fascinated by the homes of presidents that are open to the public for viewing. While not every former president has gifted their property for tours, quite a few have. Many of them have been refurbished or rescued after being sold to private owners. Amazing organizations like the Mount Vernon Ladies Association have made certain that these historic places are always preserved.
Here are 10 of my favorite homes of presidents that are currently available to tour on a presidential road trip!
1. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln’s house in Springfield, Illinois is the only place the 16th president ever owned. The modest, two-story home is located in the middle of a historic district operated by the National Park Service. The atmosphere provides an authentic feel for where Lincoln lived before being elected and moving to The White House.
While most homes of presidents are “hands-off”, the guided tour encourages guests to use the same handrail that Lincoln and his family used during the 17 years they lived here.
Admission is free but requires a ticket which can go quickly during busy spring and summer months. You should arrive early to claim one. Also be sure to check out the Lincoln Presidential Museum as well as other historic sites in Springfield like Lincoln’s law office and his tomb.
2. Ulysses S. Grant
President Grant lived in this modest cottage in the Adirondack Mountains of New York during the last few weeks of his life. It was here where Grant wrote his memoirs and said his final goodbyes after suffering from throat cancer.
A guided tour is like stepping into a time capsule. You’ll see the two leather chairs where Grant slept upright as he wasn’t able to sleep in a regular bed. Don’t miss the amazing flower display from his funeral that’s still preserved after all these years. You’ll also see the last time Grant was photographed and the chair he was sitting in at the time.
The cottage is open Weds – Sun and located in Gansevoort, New York on the top of McGregor Mountain. Admission is $12.
3. Theodore Roosevelt
One of my favorite homes of presidents belonged to Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s home on Oyster Bay in Long Island, New York is not only a really cool house – it’s located on an amazing piece of public park land. Sagamore Hill is operated by the National Park Service and tickets for a home tour must be purchased online in advance. (Though please note that tours are only offered Friday-Sunday and tickets are released on the day of, so you’ll need to get them first thing in the morning.)
The park grounds are beautiful and you can take a stroll out to the beach where Roosevelt and his family used to enjoy boating and fishing together. Roosevelt’s grave site is also a short drive from the home.
Admission is $15 and unfortunately the National Park pass doesn’t work at this site.
4. James Garfield
Ohio has several great homes of presidents that are available to tour including the historic home of James Garfield. Garfield’s home is significant as he changed the way American presidents campaign for office. Until Garfield, presidential candidates mostly let other people campaign on their behalf. Garfield began what’s now referred to as the “front porch campaign”. People would travel to see him give his stump speech on his front porch near Cleveland, Ohio.
Guided home tickets are free. The site also includes a small museum.
5. Dwight Eisenhower
Eisenhower moved to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania after leaving The White House and retired along with his wife, Mamie on a beautiful farm. This is one of the more recent presidential homes to be opened to the public. A guided tour will take you through the house where the couple spent their final years and you’ll notice it remains largely untouched. My favorite thing about the house was seeing the TV trays the former president used while watching TV at night in his favorite chair.
The grounds are great to stroll around and see farm animals. There’s even a putting green that the PGA gifted to Eisenhower who was a golf fanatic.
Admission is free with guided tours offered daily on a first come, first served basis. No tickets needed to simply walk the property.
6. James Buchanan
James Buchanan was America’s only bachelor president and visitors can tour his fancy bachelor pad in the town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Buchanan spent the final years of his life at Wheatland, some of which he was not in good health. There are many original personal items that remain in the house and the tour is one of the more relaxed I’ve been on. The docents even dress up in time period clothing which is fun!
There is an admission fee and note that the property is connected with the Lancaster Historical Society. It’s a bit confusing if you’re looking to buy tickets online. You can also purchase them in person.
7. Franklin Roosevelt’s Little White House
Roosevelt would travel to Warm Springs, Georgia for the spring waters that he hoped would cure his polio. His small home dubbed the “Little White House” is where he died on April 12, 1945. The President was having his portrait painted when he suffered a stroke. The unfinished painting is on display inside a museum on site.
The Little White House is open for tours and includes a great museum with Roosevelt history and highlights the impact he had on the local community. Admission is $13.
8. Woodrow Wilson’s Birthplace
Located in Staunton, Virginia – the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson was originally a home for ministers. Wilson’s father took a job in Staunton and used the home while working for a local church. Wilson returned to Staunton occasionally, including to celebrate his election win and spent the night in the house. You’ll see the bed where he slept during that visit.
The museum next door has some really great artifacts including the amazing presidential limo that Wilson used while in The White House. His friends purchased it for him as a gift when he left office. Admission is $20.
9. John Adams
The Old House at Peacefield was home to two American presidents. John Adams and John Quincy Adams both lived here. The home is a true time capsule of one of the original founding fathers and glimpse into his life in retirement. The Stone Library adjacent to the house was built to house an elaborate collection of books owned by John Quincy Adams and is stunning to see in person.
The tour which is booked through the National Park Service includes a look at the birthplaces of both men. Admission is free but requires advanced reservations.
10. James Madison
Montpelier was the lifelong home of President James Madison and is one of my favorite homes of presidents that you can tour. Madison, who developed the Bill Of Rights and framework for the U.S. Constitution in the home’s library, lived here as a child and throughout most of his entire life. The grounds are gorgeous to wander and the family gravesite is an easy walk from the house.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive home tours at $33 for adults and $17 for kids. There are 8 miles of walking trails on the property.
Love presidential history and road trips? Check out my new book Presidential Road Trips – 100 Places To Explore and Experience The History of American Presidents. It includes a description of each site and what you’ll see on a tour as well as directions. There’s also an index of grave sites and a state by state look at homes of presidents and historic attractions you can visit.